Australia has accused Iran of orchestrating two antisemitic arson attacks in Sydney and Melbourne and has given Tehran’s ambassador seven days to leave the country. This marks the first expulsion of a foreign ambassador by Australia since World War II.
The decision follows intelligence gathered by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), which concluded that Iran directed at least two attacks, including incidents targeting a kosher restaurant in Sydney and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attacks as acts of foreign aggression on Australian soil:
“These were extraordinary and dangerous acts of aggression, orchestrated by a foreign state. They were deliberate attempts to undermine social cohesion and sow division within our community,” Albanese stated at a press conference.
The incidents, which took place last year, caused property damage but no casualties were reported. Albanese also noted that Iran had attempted to conceal its involvement in the attacks.
The Iranian Embassy in Canberra has not yet issued a response, according to Reuters.
Albanese further revealed that intelligence indicated Iran may have been planning additional operations in Australia. In response, Australia has suspended operations at its embassy in Tehran, with all its diplomats relocated safely to a third country.
The attacks are part of a broader wave of antisemitic incidents that have surged across Australia since the start of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023, targeting homes, schools, synagogues, and vehicles.
